A pointer function designator specifies a function that returns a pointer value: a value that can be used to refer to a character position in an array row.

<pointer function designator>

──<pointer intrinsic name>──<actual parameter part>────────────────────┤

Unlike the other function designators, the syntax for pointer function designator does not allow a procedure identifier as part of the syntax. There is no PROCEDURE declaration that allows declaring a procedure of type POINTER.